AIDA Cruises: start of construction of the first LNG cruise ship in the world at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg

On February 21, 2017, a new age dawned for the cruise shipping sector at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg. AIDA President Felix Eichhorn and Meyer Werft Director Bernard Meyer performed the symbolic first steel cutting for the world’s first cruise ship that can be run completely on liquid natural gas (LNG).

The Rostock-based cruise company had announced the continuation of the longstanding strategic partnership with the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg in the summer of 2015 and issued the order for two new vessels of the next AIDA generation. The vessels, with a size in excess of 180,000 GT (gross tonnage) and around 2,500 cabins each will strengthen the AIDA fleet in the fall of 2018 and spring 2021 respectively.

With the “Green Cruising” concept, AIDA Cruises will be the first cruise shipping company in the world with the capability to operate its new generation of ships using 100% LNG.

“With the start of construction of the first LNG cruise ship in the world, we are not only setting standards for the future in terms of eco-friendliness. Thanks to the further development of the innovative ship design and a large number of successful product innovations of the existing AIDA fleet, we will be opening up totally new worlds of experience to our guests on board our ships in the future. An extraordinary variety of individual vacation possibilities, innovative entertainment and cuisine concepts, inspired by the modern lifestyle of international hotspots – these are just some of the themes with which we are creating new impetus in Germany’s vacation market”, said Felix Eichhorn on the occasion of the first steel cutting in Papenburg.

“We are very proud to be driving forward this quantum leap in the area of environmental protection together with AIDA Cruises. The successful development of this new and sophisticated ship class for AIDA Cruises shows what a good team spirit, the consistent pursuit of a common goal and committed people can bring about”, added Bernard Meyer.

The new generation of ships combines innovative design with state-of-the-art technology for even more comfort on board. The successfully launched features, such as the Brewerie, Theatrium, Beach Club and the Four Elements, have been developed further for the new vessel generation. A new cabin concept will provide AIDA guests with even more room for individuality and personal service in the future, from the Penthouse Suite to the extra-large cabin for families as well as the single cabin. Culinary trends from all over the world served in 15 restaurants and 23 bars will inspire guests to sample something new onboard.

The first 7-day cruises on the 13th member of the AIDA fleet will take guests to the Canaries from December 2018. AIDA Cruises will announce further details of the new generation of ships over the coming months.

Those who wish to be among the first to make a pre-reservation or who would like to obtain the latest first-hand information about AIDA’s next generation of ships should register at www.aida.de/genaumeinurlaub, starting from February 21, 2017.

A preview of the next generation of AIDA ships can be found in the newly designed AIDA Cruises exhibition area at the Meyer Werft shipyard visitors’ center in Papenburg, which attracts up to 300,000 guests each year. In the “AIDA Lounge”, visitors can obtain an insight into the diversity of the world of AIDA as well as obtain the very latest information about the progress of construction. A visit to the “AIDA Lounge” is possible as part of a guided tour arranged in advance. For registration and further information, please go to www.meyerwerft.de or www.papenburg-marketing.de.